We are no fundamentalists,says Maldives8217; presidential aide

8220;The fundamentalists are those who strap bombs to their bodies and blow away,8221; Masood Imad,a friend and Press Secretary to the new President told media.

He said a person with a beard cannot be considered as a hardliner.

8220;It is sunnah.Don8217;t judge the book by its cover. Read it and understand it,8221; he said.

Over the past few months,certain quarters have expressed concern over the rising influence of the hardline elements in the country.

The media report said,8221;hard- line Islam is an increasing part of the political scene and played a role in overthrowing the democratically elected government8221;.

Incidentally,the country8217;s new Home Minister Mohamed Jameel Ahmed infamously published a controversial pamphlet accusing ousted President Mohamad Nasheed of working with 8220;Jews and Christians8221; and against Islamic ideals.

Hassan8217;s new cabinet also has elements of the erstwhile Maumoon Abdul Gayoom era that lasted for 30 years.

Maldives is an atoll nation of around four lakh people,with Sunni Islam the only religion followed in the country and adherence to it is required under the Constitution.